Unhappy sex workers say an outdoor school on Old Faure Road is costing them business.
One prostitute says all her clients are complaining about the Eerste River school, which sprung up in February.
The 39-year old Khayelitsha woman, who only identified herself as Nozuko, says she has been working at the spot for more than three years.
But now she and her colleagues have to find hidden corners to service their clients after residents of a new housing development established the informal school.
Empumelelweni Primary and High School opened last month after some of the children couldn’t find placement in the area.
The sex worker says: “Ever since these people started a school here, we have found it difficult to work.
“And it is also affecting us financially. I have fewer clients because they don’t stop here anymore.
“On a good day, I used to make about R1000, and R700 for the whole night. Now business is slow.”
The mother of two says the men who pick her up want privacy and feel “exposed”.
“I have already lost a few customers, first it was Covid and now there is the school.
“No man wants to buy sex in full view of children.
“And now some of my clients are scared to come to us on this section of the road, fearing being exposed.
“The parents walk up and down with their children and maybe one day they might recognise the men who are here for us.”
A founding member of the school, Mlungisi Ndikandika, says he can’t comment on the loss of income for the sex workers.
“I don’t know anything about that type of business and when we took over the space we didn’t think it belonged to anyone as it was empty,” he says.
“We are not here by choice, we are fighting with the government so our children can be placed in schools.”
He said he would speak to staff and parents, but adds: “We are not going to leave, but I just want them to be aware of the issue.”
He said they were supposed to meet with the Western Cape Education Department yesterday to discuss the matter.